Chris Carter

Q: To kick things off, tell us a bit about yourself and what people in town might know you for.

Chris Carter: I’m a Burlington resident and a proud girl dad times two. Locally, people usually know me from a couple of different things. First is a podcast I co-host with my business partner and close friend, Jamie, called What My Dad Taught Me. It’s a safe space where we share stories about fatherhood, help dads become better dads, and focus on both mental health and lifestyle development.

Aside from the podcast, a lot of people know me as one of the founders of the Burlington Dads. What started very humbly as a simple Facebook page for local guys to share tools, advice, and connect as a community has grown into a registered non-profit with over 7,000 active members.

Q: Giving back seems to be at the absolute core of the Burlington Dads. How has that mission evolved over the last 13 years?

Chris: As the group grew, our focus shifted toward the broader community. We started asking ourselves: How do we do more for our neighbors, and how can we support the incredible local charities in our city?

Over the last 13 years, the group has successfully raised and given away over a million dollars. We now host about 14 fundraising and awareness events every single year. But honestly, the real win isn’t just the money—it’s the sense of community. We have created a space where thousands of local men feel safe to put their hands up if they need something or just need to be heard. We listen, and then we help.

“The real win isn’t just the money—it’s the sense of community. We have created a space where thousands of local men feel safe to put their hands up if they need something.”

Q: You grew up here, but what is it specifically about Burlington that makes it home for you and your family?

Chris: Burlington is where I grew up. My dad was in real estate, so we moved around a lot when I was a kid, and I attended several different public schools. Moving around actually turned out to be a gift because it showed me the incredible diversity and uniqueness of the different neighborhoods we have here.

It has always felt like home to me. When my wife and I were ready to plant permanent roots and buy our “forever house,” there was no question it would be here. We live in the Longmoor community, just north of Shore Acres, and it’s where we are raising our two young girls. Through my work, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to connect with so many amazing dads, as well as powerful local women and moms who we’ve been able to ally with. Burlington is home, and it always will be.

Q: Your podcast, What My Dad Taught Me, has exploded recently. What’s next for the show, and what keeps you inspired?

Chris: We’re really just getting started! Even though we are now averaging somewhere around 2.5 million views a month and welcoming some truly amazing guests, we are still constantly learning.

I think the reason it resonated so quickly is that Jamie and I know exactly who we are—and who we aren’t. We don’t profess to be experts or anything more than what we are: two dads and two good friends who are passionate about being good parents and good people. That authenticity allows us to have incredibly honest, humbling conversations that people really connect with.

Q: You’re now officially throwing your hat in the ring for Ward 4 City Counselor. What sparked that decision, and what does your platform stand for?

Chris: I’m incredibly excited about my candidacy. The idea was actually brought to me by several people I’ve worked with over the years. Because of my community initiatives, my business ventures, and the Chamber of Commerce, I already have strong working relationships with our mayor and current council members. I’m already out at the local ribbon-cuttings and business events right alongside them.

More importantly, through the Burlington Dads, I’ve had a front-row seat to 7,000 local families for over a decade. I hear what their day-to-day lives are like—what’s working, what’s hard, and where the gaps are. People started coming up to me saying, “Chris, you’re already doing a massive part of this job. You have your finger on the pulse and you care. Why not take it to the next level on the municipal side?”

For a long time, I smiled and told them my hands were full with young kids and growing businesses. But this year, with the stability of the podcast and the non-profit, I’m in a position where I can pivot.

My platform is simple: action, transparency, and authenticity. I’ve made a 25-year career out of showing up, listening, and actually doing something about it. That’s why my projects succeed. I think our city is ready for more of that exact approach, and if elected, I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.